Job Description
The post holder will work as part of a community nursing team, visiting people in their homes to carry out venepuncture, and other tests and will report back to their wider team and to primary care.
Your team base with be in either Thetford or Watton.
Previous healthcare experience and competency in Venepuncture are highly desirable.
To be responsible for carrying out venepuncture, capillary blood sampling, observations and ECGs for patients in their own homes, care homes, the travelling community, community hospitals and/or in clinics. This will provide support in the delivery of the community service to patients within the community.
The postholder will also order and restock stores for their team.
You will join a supportive and friendly team who work closely with GP surgeries. The successful applicant will be flexible and help with the wider South Place community teams as required.
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Collection of blood samples from patients in accordance with agreed procedures.
- To ensure samples taken from patients are correctly identified by using the labels provided on the ICE forms, or clearly writing on the label in line with requesting services guidelines as appropriate.
- To ensure any capillary blood sampling for International Normalized Ratio (INR) is carried out in accordance with Norfolk Community Health & Care Standard Operating Procedures.
- To ensure that where blood samples need to be sent off for analysis they are delivered to the nearest site in time for that day’s collection.
- To take temperature, pulse and blood pressure readings in accordance with agreed procedures.
- To take electrocardiogram (ECG) readings in accordance with agreed procedures.
- Order and restock stores for the community nursing team.
- To report any concerns with regard to patients or colleagues to the Senior Registered Nurse for that area.
- To work with all health care professionals, and statutory/non statutory agencies to provide a seamless, integrated service to our service users.
- Establishing good working relationships with all Trust staff.
- To print off own blood requests using the ICE system.
Main responsibilities
Clinical
- Undertake phlebotomy training and apply competency based treatment techniques (i.e. Venepuncture, Near patient testing) following request from qualified practitioner.
- Undertake technician training (no interpretation required) to obtain pulse, temperature, blood pressure and ECG readings
- To maintain confidentiality and dignity at all times.
- Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis.
- Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health care professionals.
- Be responsible for ensuring equipment is used safely, following relevant training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
- To contribute to health promotion initiatives.
- Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment
- Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent, and gain consent as appropriate following organisational policies.
- Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
- Demonstrate dexterity and coordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important, e.g. venepuncture.
- Communicate with patients/carers by exchanging factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
- Plan and prioritise own visits to delegated patients, and ensure these are documented in personal work diary.
Professional
- Attend in-house and competency training as required developing current job role.
- Be aware of limitations of own scope of practice and competency, and when to request assistance in daily practice and in emergency situations.
- Acknowledge and recognise peoples’ expressed beliefs, preferences and choices.
- Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management, and apply to work situation.
- Actively contribute to team working and express ideas on improving services for users and the team.
- To be committed to working in a changing environment responding positively to new demands and changes and to be willing to be flexible to the changing needs of the service.
- Work predominately independently on specified tasks, with regular clinical support and supervision by a qualified practitioner.
Organisational
- Undertake mandatory training as required.
- Partake in the Personal Development Review process.
- Follow Trust policies, and local procedures.
- Be aware of Trust’s behaviour framework and ensure behaviours are embedded in role.
- Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Clinical Leader and Trust Policy.
- Contribute to clinical audit as required.
- Complete the staff survey as required.
- Take part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy